Special Events in Waste Management

Curbside Giveaway Day

Curbside Giveaway Day events are organized in cooperation with the local municipalities, where residents place unwanted items in good condition—clearly marked FREE—on their curb for anyone to pick up. At the end of the Giveaway Day, residents return unclaimed items to their home.

Please ensure items whether new or used, are safe and meet current regulatory requirements. It is important to only place items that are in good condition. The Region is not responsible for quality of items placed out for the Curbside Giveaway Day.

Event Dates:

Saturday, June 13, 2026

Saturday, September 19, 2026

Rules and Guidelines

Mark all the items you wish to give away as “free” and secure the labels with tape.
Remember to obey all traffic laws and watch for children.
Do not block traffic, sidewalks, or place items on the road.
Do not trespass on other people’s property, block other people’s driveways or park illegally.
Please continue to follow safe and sanitary practices when participating in the giveaway:

Clean and disinfect tables and items prior to the swap.
Clothing or other fabric items should be laundered prior to the giveaway. We also recommend laundering any clothing you have acquired.
For additional guidance: Facts for Garage Sale Vendors - Canada.ca.

Accepted items

Please clean and disinfect all items prior to the swap.

Appliances
Bicycles
Tools
Furniture
Books/movies/DVDs
Kitchen utensils
Building materials
Computers and electronics
Yard and garden equipment
Clothes
Usable paint
Sporting goods
Musical instruments
Plants, potted trees, etc.
Other durable goods

Items not accepted

Please do not put out any items with a potential safety risk.

Opened or used Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Garbage or recyclables
Chemicals of any kind
Weapons of any kind
Food items
Mattresses (potential for bedbug infestation)
Broken furniture
Dangerous/illegal items
Car/booster seats
Baby gates and walkers
Cribs/cradles

Check for consumer product recalls posted by Health Canada.

Unclaimed items

Please remove items remaining at the curb by 7 p.m.
Material left at the curb after the Curbside Giveaway Day will be subject to by-law enforcement.
Unwanted items that are in good condition can be posted in a local buy and sell group.
Listed below are only some organizations and charities in Durham that accept gently used items for donation. Please contact the organization in advance to ensure it accepts materials or items you’d like to donate. There are many grassroots organizations working to support others, we encourage residents to explore available options.

Compost Giveaway Events

Collected leaf and yard waste is processed into nutrient-rich compost. In the spring, residents are invited to our complimentary compost giveaways. Quantities are first-come, first served and limited to four reusable containers of compost per vehicle.

What should I bring?

Shovels: residents are responsible for shovelling their own compost.
Containers: blue boxes, reusable containers, yard waste bags.

Residents are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item, to be donated to a local food bank (please check that boxes and cans are not damaged, opened or expired).

Event Dates:

Ajax Compost Giveaway - Saturday, April 25, 2026

Saturday, April 25, 2026

8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Ajax Operations Centre

800 Salem Road North, Ajax